Royal Secrets & Beastly Desires

20. Fleeing the Alpha: A Royal Escape

                            🌓🌙🌓🌙🌓

Draiden awoke with an unsettling feeling, as if something was fundamentally off in the universe. He moved through his morning routine mechanically, checking on the pack and ensuring everything was in order. Despite his efforts to focus on the tasks at hand, a nagging sense of unease clung to him like a shadow. After some deliberation, he decided to attend Dakota's graduation.

Draiden stood at the back of the auditorium, feeling like an intruder as he watched Dakota graduate. Despite being there for his sister's sake, he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't belong. He had convinced himself that showing support was the right thing to do, even though it hurt to see Dakota moving on with her life.

When her name was called, he couldn't help but admire her poise as she walked confidently across the stage to accept her diploma. A swell of pride filled his chest as he watched her shine, but he quickly averted his gaze, battling a deep sense of longing that he refused to acknowledge. The moment felt bittersweet; he was happy for her, yet painfully aware of the distance that had grown between them. As soon as the ceremony concluded, he turned away and made his way toward the exit, desperate to escape before she could spot him.

In his mind, he insisted that he didn't care, that Dakota meant nothing to him anymore. Yet, the ache in his chest told a different story. Each step he took away from her felt heavy, burdened with unspoken words and unresolved feelings that lingered in the air. The truth was that watching her achieve her dreams only deepened the emptiness he felt in her absence. He realized he was still grappling with emotions he had tried to bury for far too long.

As he arrived at the ceremony and watched her walk across the stage, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over him. Pride surged as he admired her radiant smile and hopeful demeanor, yet an undercurrent of sadness tugged at his heart. He couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was stirring within him-an instinctive awareness that this moment marked a significant change. Once the ceremony concluded, he discreetly slipped away, feeling an inexplicable hollow ache in his chest that he struggled to understand.

Draiden stepped into the cool evening air, the weight of his unresolved feelings pressed down on him. He knew he would eventually have to confront the truth of his emotions, but for now, he chose to push them aside, just as he had done countless times before. He walked away from the auditorium, each step a reminder of what he had lost, and the realization that he could no longer ignore the impact Dakota had on his life.

Later that night the weight of her absence became undeniable. He felt The moment Dakota left London, Draiden sensed a profound loss-a connection to her that was hauntingly vivid and impossible to ignore. The realization struck him hard, leaving him frustrated and restless.

In a fit of anger, he slammed his fist down on his desk, scattering papers in every direction. The chaotic flutter of documents mirrored his tumultuous thoughts. In a surge of emotion, he mind-linked Caleb, Dakota's best friend and confidant, demanding that he appear in his office within five minutes-or face the consequences.

When Caleb finally stepped into the room, Draiden's eyes were dark with fury. His voice was low and dangerous, laced with urgency as he demanded, "Where did she go?"

Caleb, clearly taken aback by Draiden's intensity, stuttered in confusion, "W-where did who go?" The tension in the air thickened, and Draiden could feel his frustration boiling over as he awaited a response that would explain the void left by Dakota's departure.

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Draiden stood from his chair, stalking toward Caleb. "Don't play dumb with me. Where the fuck did Dakota go?" he growled, his patience wearing thin.